Mayim Bialik

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Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik at Gracie Awards Gala crop.jpg
Bialik at the 2011 Gracie Awards
Born Mayim Hoya Bialik
(1975-12-12) December 12, 1975 (age 37)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Education UCLA
Alma mater UCLA
Occupation actress, author
Years active 1987–present
Spouse(s) Michael Stone (m. 2003)
Website
mayimbialik.net

Mayim Hoya Bialik (/ˈmaɪəm biˈɑːlɨk/; born December 12, 1975) is an American actress widely known for her roles as Blossom Russo on NBC's Blossom (1990–1995), and currently as Amy Farrah Fowler on CBS's The Big Bang Theory, for which she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.[1] She holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience.

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Early life and education [edit]

Bialik was born in San Diego, California, the daughter of Barry Bialik and Beverly (Winkelman).[2] Her grandparents emigrated from Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary in the late 1930s. Hayim Nahman Bialik, Israel's national poet, was Mayim Bialik's great-great-grandfather's uncle.[3] Bialik was raised in Reform Judaism. Her given name means "water" in Hebrew.[4]

Bialik attended Walter Reed Junior High School in North Hollywood, California. At the end of Blossom, she chose to attend UCLA, although she also had been accepted to both Harvard and Yale.[5][6] She stated that she wanted to stay close to her parents and did not want to move to the East Coast. She earned a bachelor's degree in 2000 in neuroscience, Hebrew and Jewish studies, and went on to the PhD program in neuroscience.

She took a break from studies in 2005 to return to acting.[7] Bialik completed her PhD in 2007.[8] Her dissertation was an investigation of hypothalamic activity in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome.[9][10]

Career [edit]

Bialik started her career as a child actress in the late 1980s. Her early roles included the horror film Pumpkinhead (1988), her first acting job,[11] and guest appearances on The Facts of Life and Beauty and the Beast. She appeared in three episodes of MacGyver as Lisa Woodman. She appeared in Beaches (1988), playing Bette Midler's character as a young girl. She also appeared in the video for the song "Liberian Girl" by Michael Jackson.

Bialik at the rehearsal for the 1989 Academy Awards

In 1990, Bialik was tied to two television pilots, Fox's Molloy and NBC's Blossom. Molloy at first produced six episodes for a tryout run, followed by the shooting of the pilot special for Blossom. The latter actually aired two weeks before Bialik's Fox series and ultimately garnered higher ratings than it. When Molloy folded after its six episodes, Blossom was pursued as a regular series, airing until 1995.

Between 1995 and 2005, Bialik mostly did voice-over work for cartoons, such as The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest and Recess.

She appeared in the feature film Kalamazoo? (2005) and appeared in three episodes of the HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm as Jodi Funkhouser, the lesbian daughter of a friend of Larry David. Bialik also made guest appearances as a fictionalized version of herself in the series Fat Actress, and made a guest appearance as a Hasidic Jew in an episode of Saving Grace.[12][13] She had a recurring role as the high school guidance counselor in ABC Family's The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She also made an appearance on the Fox TV show 'Til Death in which she has a reunion of sorts with two of her Blossom co-stars—Jenna von Oÿ, who played Blossom’s quirky best friend Six, and Michael Stoyanov, who played Blossom’s older brother Anthony.[14]

In 2009, Bialik was nominated by Clinton Kelly for a makeover on TLC's What Not To Wear.[15]

In Season 3 (2009–2010), she joined the cast of The Big Bang Theory as Dr. Amy Farrah Fowler. Her first appearance was in the season finale as a potential love interest for the character of Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons). In Season 4, she began as a recurring character playing Sheldon's "friend that's a girl, but not a girlfriend." Beginning with Season 4, Episode 8, she became part of the main cast.[16] Bialik's character is a neurobiologist, or neuroscientist, which corresponds to Bialik's real-life educational pursuits. Bialik's performance in The Big Bang Theory earned her a 2012 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Prior to her joining the cast, in the episode "The Bat Jar Conjecture", Raj suggests recruiting the real-life Bialik to their Physics Bowl team, saying "You know who’s apparently very smart, is the girl who played TV’s Blossom. She got a Ph.D. in Neuroscience or something."

On March 6, 2012, her book, Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way, was released.[17]

Personal life [edit]

Bialik married Michael Stone on August 31, 2003, in a Victorian-themed ceremony with traditional Jewish customs[18] (Bialik's husband, born into a Mormon family, converted to Judaism; several years later, Bialik's mother-in-law converted to Judaism as well).[19][20] Bialik and Stone have two sons together: Miles Roosevelt Bialik Stone, born October 10, 2005, and Frederick Heschel Bialik Stone, born August 15, 2008.[21] On November 21, 2012, Bialik and Stone announced that they were divorcing, citing irreconcilable differences.[22]

In a 2012 interview, Bialik stated that she would call herself "aspiring Modern Orthodox."[23] She has appeared in several YouTube cameos as Blossom and Amy Farrah Fowler[24] asking questions about Jewish beliefs. The videos are produced by Allison Josephs, Bialik's Judaism study partner, whom she met with the help of Partners in Torah.[25]

She is a celebrity spokesperson for the Holistic Moms Network.[26]

Bialik is a vegan[27] and a founding member of the Shamayim V'Aretz Institute.[28]

Bialik spoke at the 2011 Penn State Lehigh Valley graduation in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[29]

On August 15, 2012, Bialik was injured in a car accident in Los Angeles, suffering severe lacerations to her right hand. While initial reports indicated she might lose a finger in the accident, Bialik confirmed via Twitter that all her fingers would remain intact.[30] Bialik returned to work on The Big Bang Theory the next day.[31]

Filmography [edit]

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1988 Beaches Young Cecilia "CC" Carol Bloom Won - Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Fantasy
1988 Pumpkinhead Wallace kid
1994 Don't Drink the Water Susan Hollander
2005 Kalamazoo? Maggie Goldman
2011 Chicago 8, TheThe Chicago 8 Nancy Kurshan
2011 The Dog Who Saved Halloween Medusa Voice only
2012 Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire Maria Voice only
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1987 Beauty and the Beast Ellie Episode: "No Way Down"
1988 Facts of Life, TheThe Facts of Life Jennifer Cole Episodes
  • "The Beginning of the Beginning"
  • "The Beginning of the End"
1988–1989 Webster Frieda Eight episodes
1989–1990 Empty Nest Laurie Kincaid
Episodes:
1989–1990 MacGyver Lisa Woodman
Episodes:
  • "Cease Fire"
  • "Twenty Questions"
  • "Hearts of Steel"
1990 Doogie Howser, M.D. Candace Episode: "Ask Dr. Doogie"
1990 Molloy Molloy Martin Canceled after seven episodes
1990 Murphy Brown Natalie Episode: "I Want My FYI"
1990–1995 Blossom Blossom Russo
1991 Sea World's Mother Earth Celebration (on Nickelodeon) Herself
1992 Kingdom Chums: Original Top Ten, TheThe Kingdom Chums: Original Top Ten Petey
1993 Hidden Room, TheThe Hidden Room Jillie Episode: "Jillie"
1994 Don't Drink the Water Susan Hollander
1994–1995 John Larroquette Show, TheThe John Larroquette Show Rachel
Episodes:
  • "The Book of Rachel"
  • "Rachel and Ton"
  • "Rachel Redux"
1995-1996 Adventures of Hyperman, TheThe Adventures of Hyperman Brittany Bright
Episodes
  • 1.1
  • "Oceans a Leavin'"

Voice only
1996-1999 Hey Arnold! Maria
Episodes
  • "6th Grade Girls/The Baseball"
  • "Dinner for Four/Phoebe Skips"

Voice only
1996 Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, TheThe Real Adventures of Jonny Quest Lucy
  • Episode: "The Alchemist"

Voice only
1996 Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, TheThe Real Adventures of Jonny Quest Julia/French Woman
  • Episode: "Assault on Questworld:

Voice only
1997-2000 Recess Kirsten Kurst
Episodes
  • "The Break-In"
  • "The Girl Was Trouble", "The Ratings Game"

Voice only
1997 Johnny Bravo Tour Guide
Episode
  • "Going Batty/Berry the Butler/Red Faced in the White House"

Voice only
1997 Extreme Ghostbusters Girl in Future
  • Episode: "Ghost Apocalyptic Future"
  • Voice only
1998 Welcome to Paradox Rita Episode: "Alien Jane"
2003-2004 Kim Possible Justine Flanner
Episodes
  • "The Secret Files"
  • "Partners"
  • Voice only
2005 Katbot Paula Voice only
2005 Fat Actress Herself
Episodes:
  • "The Koi Effect"
  • "Holy Lesbo Batman"
2005 7th Heaven Cathy Episode: "Dick"
2005-2007 Curb Your Enthusiasm Jodi Funkhauser
Episodes:
  • "The Bowtie"
  • "The TiVo Guy"
  • "The Ida Funkhouser Roadside Memorial"
2009 Saving Grace Esther Episode: "Mooooooooo"
2009 What Not To Wear Herself
2009 Bones Genie Gormon Episode: "The Cinderella in the Cardboard"
2010 The Secret Life of the American Teenager Dr. Wilameena Bink
Episodes:
  • "You Don’t Know What You’ve Got..."
  • "Just Say Me"
  • "Let's Try That Again"
  • "The Rhythm of Life"
2009 'Til Death Herself
Episodes:
  • "The Break-Up"
  • "Merit Play"
  • "Baby Steps"
2010–present Big Bang Theory, TheThe Big Bang Theory Amy Farrah Fowler
Video games
Year Title Role Notes
2003 X2: Wolverine's Revenge Bush Pilot, May Deuce Voice only

References [edit]

  1. ^ Russo, Gene (2012). "Turning point: Mayim Bialik. Actress makes the shift from television to neuroscience and then back again". Nature 485 (7400): 669–669. doi:10.1038/nj7400-669a.  edit
  2. ^ Smith, Emily (2011). The Mayim Bialik Handbook: Everything You Need to Know About Mayim Bialik. Tebbo. ISBN 9781743334454. 
  3. ^ Roth, Matthue (2009-05-06). "Mayim Bialik: From ‘Blossom’ to Brachot". Jewcy.com. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
  4. ^ Goldman, Michele (2002-10-11). "Religion Blossoms for Bialik". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved 2006-12-13. 
  5. ^ Carter, Alan (1993-07-16). "Blossom Flowers: Mayim Bialik Grows into Adult Roles". Ew.com. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
  6. ^ Mayim Bialik; Playing the Role Of an American in Paris Michael E. Hill; The Washington Post; Sep 19, 1993; Y.07;
  7. ^ "Alumni Stories - Notable Alumni". Uclalumni.net. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
  8. ^ http://www.mayimbialik.net/bio.html
  9. ^ "Life After Child Stardom - Not by the Numbers". Abcnews.go.com. 2006-11-24. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
  10. ^ Bialik, Mayim C. "Hypothalamic regulation in relation to maladaptive, obsessive-compulsive, affiliative, and satiety behaviors in Prader-Willi syndrome" (PhD Diss., UCLA, 2007).
  11. ^ Pierce, Leonard (2009-01-28). "Mayim Bialik: Random Roles". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2009-07-05. 
  12. ^ "Mayim Bialik's Kosher Comeback!". Popjudaica.com. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
  13. ^ "Mayim Bialik Learns What Not to Wear". Celebrity-babies.com. 2010-11-15. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
  14. ^ "'Blossom' reunion on FOX? Whoa!". Fox News. 2010-03-31. 
  15. ^ [1], additional text.
  16. ^ Ausiello, Michael (2010-11-15). "‘Bang Theory’ Ups Mayim Bialik to Regular". deadline.com. Retrieved 2011-01-30. 
  17. ^ "Mayim Bialik's Book, 'Beyond The Sling', On Attachment Parenting Is In Center Of Parenting Spotlight". The Huffington Post. March 8, 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-11. 
  18. ^ "Featured Wedding: Mayim Bialik & Mike Stone". Jewishweddingnetwork.com. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
  19. ^ http://www.kveller.com/blog/parenting/mayim-bialiks-husband-was-a-mormon/
  20. ^ http://kveller.com/parent/Grandparents/From_Mormon_to_Jew.shtml
  21. ^ "Mayim Bialik Welcomes Second Son, Frederick Heschel". Celebrity-babies.com. 2010-11-15. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
  22. ^ "Mayim Bialik, Husband to Divorce After 9 Years". US Weekly. Retrieved 21 November 2012. 
  23. ^ Cohen, Marla. Geek Love, Parenting, and Judaism. http://www.jewishrockland.org/Mayim-Bialik.aspx
  24. ^ 'Science vs. Religion: Mayim Bialik and the Other Big Bang Theory', Jew in the City, October 31, 2011.
  25. ^ 'Mayim Bialik to Guest Star on a Very Special Jew in the City!', Jew in the City, May 20, 2009
  26. ^ "Meet Mayim Bialik: Actress and Holistic Mom". Holisticmoms.org. 2009-07-07. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
  27. ^ "Exclusive: Mayim Bialik Gets Her Eco On At The Go Green Expo In Los Angeles". Ecorazzi.com. 2010-01-20. Retrieved 2011-03-12. 
  28. ^ http://www.shamayimvaretz.com/leadership.html
  29. ^ "Penn State Live". The Pennsylvania State University. unknown. Retrieved 2012-07-20. 
  30. ^ "MAYIM BIALIK Hospitalized in Car Wreck May Lose Finger". TMZ. Retrieved 2012-08-15. 
  31. ^ http://www.deadline.com/2012/08/mayim-bialiks-car-accident-not-serious-wont-impact-production-on-big-bang/#utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

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